Vehicle History Help

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Support

What are your office hours of business?

You can purchase a MyWheels report anytime on MyWheels.ie. If you have any queries you can call our office during normal working hours which are 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.
You can also send your query via e-mail to info email address

Data Coverage

Where is the vehicle data sourced from?

All data is sourced from official sources in Ireland and the UK including government, trade bodies, insurers and manufacturers.

What types of information are collected?

For a complete list of information we collect on vehicles please see our Reports & Pricing page.

Is mileage data available?

All our Irish reports now display odometer readings, if available for that vehicle. We obtain previous odometer reading from numerous sources, such as;

Trade Contributers: Garages and motor dealers in Ireland
Private Contributers: Non-trade sources

If there are no odometer readings available for your vehicle, we recommend you examine additional sources of information and request the seller to provide a written warranty stating that the mileage on the odometer is genuine.

Why is there no information available for a vehicle?

If you get a ‘Registration incorrect. Please try again’ message then it is normally due to one of the following reasons;

The registration is incorrect. Please check the registration you entered and check again.

The registration is not recognised as being from Ireland or the UK. We provide information on Irish and UK vehicles only. If the registration is outside Ireland or the UK then we are unable to provide information on the vehicle.

Newly registered vehicles may not be available. There may be a delay of one to two week before the vehicle information is available from official sources. This is the case for both new and imported vehicles that were recently registered in Ireland.

If you believe the registration is correct and that information should be available then please contact us and we will investigate why no information is being displayed.

Can I get the history of a vehicle registered outside Ireland?

Yes, you can check for UK vehicles as well as Irish vehicles. Unfortunately we do not have information available on vehicles registered outside Ireland and the UK.

Report Types and Pricing

What reports are available on MyWheels?

We have a number of different report types available from as little as €7.50. When you perform a free check you will see a list of possible reports available for that specific vehicle. The list of available reports will vary depending on whether you submit an Irish or UK registration, if the vehicle was imported, is there a valuation available for the vehicle etc. The following is a list of vehicle reports available from MyWheels.ie;

  1. Irish & UK full Car Check
  2. Irish & UK Car History Check
  3. Irish Full Car Check
  4. Irish Car History Check
  5. Irish Car Finance Check
  6. UK Full Car Check
  7. UK Car History Check
  8. UK Car Finance Check
  9. iCAP Valuation
  10. VRT & NOx Calculator Check

For more information please see our Reports & Pricing page.

How much do the reports cost?

We have vehicle reports available from as little as €7.50. The price of the report will vary depending on what information is included and you can see our current price list on our Reports & Pricing page.

How can I pay to buy a report?

After selecting the report you want to buy, payment can be made online, quickly and securely, with the following card types;

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • Laser
  • Paypal

Payments are processed securely by an Irish company called Realex, a leading European online payment provider.

Payment can also be taken over the phone by calling 01 905 2292

What does a vehicle report look like?

When I buy a report, how do I see it?

Once you have completed the payment, your report will automatically display within your browser after a few seconds.

You will also receive a PDF version of your report as an attachment with the confirmation email which you can print off and keep for your own records.

If your email account has filtering tools in place please note that the email can be moved directly into your Spam/Junk folder.

Can I get a vehicle history on motorbikes?

Yes, MyWheels.ie can generate a history check on any vehicle registered in the Republic of Ireland and the UK.

How up to date is the information on the website?

The vehicle information is obtained from a number of official sources in the Republic of Ireland and the UK. The data is updated as soon as it becomes available. When information on a vehicle changes it may take 1-2 weeks before the official source updates their systems and makes this information available e.g. NCT expiry, number of owners etc. If you believe the information displayed on a vehicle report is incorrect then please contact us.

Vehicle Report Content

Why am I getting a ‘Registration incorrect. Please try again’ message?

If you get a ’Registration incorrect. Please try again’ message then it is normally due to one of the following reasons;

The registration is incorrect. Please check the registration you entered and check again.

The registration is not recognised as being from Ireland or the UK. We provide information on Irish and UK vehicles only. If the registration is outside Ireland or the UK then we are unable to provide information on the vehicle.

Newly registered vehicles may not be available. There may be a delay of one to two week before the vehicle information is available from official sources. This is the case for both new and imported vehicles that were recently registered in Ireland.

If you believe the registration is correct and that information should be available then please contact us and we will investigate why no information is being displayed.

What information is included on a vehicle report?

Generally all our reports will include basic vehicle data such as make, model, engine size, fuel type and colour. Where available, the reports will also include vehicle write-off history, chassis number, NCT and tax history. In addition, the reports will also indicate if a vehicle has been used as a taxi or hackney cab. Please check out our Reports & Pricing page for more information.

Does the report show if a vehicle is written off?

All our reports show if the vehicle has been reported as written off to the National Vehicle and Driver File maintained by the Department of Transport. There are 4 categories of write off and only Category A and B must be reported to the Dept of Transport. Category C and D are financial write offs and are not reported to the Department of Transport as the vehicle can be repaired and used on the road. Category C means that the vehicle can be repaired but the cost of new parts and labour would be greater than the value of the vehicle (before the accident). Category D means that the vehicle can be repaired and the cost of new parts and labour would be less than the value of the vehicle (before the accident) but other factors such as availability of parts result in the vehicle being classed as written off. If you have concerns that the vehicle was involved in an accident we recommend you get it checked by a qualified mechanic. Category C/D write off information is not generally available and therefore not shown on our reports.

Do the reports include information on Stolen Vehicles?

The Garda Síochána maintain the files on stolen vehicles in Ireland, and as they do not release this data, this information is not included in our reports.

However, we do provide stolen information on UK vehicles and this information will be included in all UK reports.

What should I do when information on a vehicle appears incorrectly?

All of our data has been obtained from official sources but in some cases an error may have occurred when the information was recorded. If you believe there is an inaccuracy in the data displayed on a vehicle report then please contact us.

Where can I get CO2 taxation information?

Vehicles registered from 1st July 2008 onwards are liable for tax based on their CO2 emissions. Depending on when the vehicle was registered, our vehicle report will indicate whether your vehicle is taxable based on engine size or on CO2 emissions. You can also get additional information on the motor tax rates at www.motortax.ie.

Does the report show if a vehicle has been used as a Taxi or Hackney?

Yes, the vehicle history report will show if the vehicle is currently, or was previously, registered as either a Taxi or a Hackney cab.

Does the Number of Owners include the current owner?

The vehicle reports from MyWheels.ie display the number of owners currently. The number of current owners is the number of previous owners (as detailed in the logbook/vehicle registration cert) plus the current owner. For example, if the report shows ‘3’ owners and you buy the vehicle, then you will be the 4th owner.
This total does not include when the vehicle was held by a motor trader, eg. garage or other member of the motor trade as the may not have been officially logged as an owner.

Do any vehicle history checks include current owner details (e.g. name and address)?

MyWheels.ie does not hold any personal data associated with any vehicle. This information is not available for vehicle history reports as it is personal information and therefore subject to Data Protection legislation.

Why are most of the characters on the chassis number hashed out on the vehicle history check?

The numbers are hashed out for security reasons as they are unique to the vehicle. The characters shown allow for a quick check against the vehicle and registration certificate.

What should I do if I have a query on the vehicle history check?

Please contact us with your query.

Why is information available for some vehicles and not for others?

In some instances complete information on a vehicle is not received from the data suppliers and we only display information from these sources.

How up to date is the information on the website?

The service is composed of multiple data sources and updated both daily and weekly as data becomes available.

How do I retrieve a previous report?

When you purchase a report from MyWheels.ie we will send an email to the address provided at the time of purchase. This email includes a PDF attachment of your report. If you need any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

What do the Euro NCAP classifications mean?

Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers – both drivers and the automotive industry – with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe. More information can be found at www.euroncap.com.

What do I do if the Chassis Number on the report does not match with what is stamped on the vehicle?

It is possible that the vehicle may have been tampered with or indeed be stolen. With personal safety to the fore, it may be prudent to make your excuses, suspend negotiations with the purported owner of the vehicle and depart the scene. It is your choice as to whether you inform the relevant authorities (Crimestoppers Freefone – 1800 250 025).

What do I do if the Engine Number on the report does not match with what is stamped on the vehicle?

t is possible that the vehicle may have been tampered with or indeed be stolen. With personal safety to the fore, it may be prudent to make your excuses, suspend negotiations with the purported owner of the vehicle and depart the scene. It is your choice as to whether you inform the relevant authorities (Crimestoppers Freefone – 1800 250 025).

Irish & UK Full Car Check


What include MyWheels.ie Irish & UK Full Car Check report?

(Includes: Irish Finance, Irish History, UK Finance, UK History)
Check the background history of any Irish, Northern Irish or UK vehicle (Write-off, Previous Damage, Stolen, Clocked). Check if a vehicle is subject to an Irish or UK HPI Finance Agreement and get an accurate valuation on any Vehicle (passenger or light commercial) used by automotive professionals as well as the insurance industry and financial institutions.


Report includes:
  • Full Vehicle Identity Check
  • Irish & UK Finance Check
  • Irish & UK Insurance Write-Off Check
  • Damage Alert
  • Mileage Check
  • UK Stolen Car Check
  • Irish & UK Imported Vehicle Check
  • Previous Taxi / Hackney Check
  • NCT/CVRT Status & MOT History Check
  • Road Tax Status & Costings Check
  • Most recent date of sale & sale history Check
  • Recorded Model Modifications Check
  • VIN & VLC Partial Number for Verification
  • Engine Number Provided
  • Irish & UK No. of Owners Check
  • Current Market Valuation
  • 2 Weeks Free Breakdown Assistance

Importance of an Irish & UK Full Car Check:

  • 1 in every 6 Irish vehicles have outstanding finance owed
  • 4 in every 10 written-off Irish vehicles back on the road
  • 1 in every 5 Irish vehicles clocked
  • Increase in Irish vehicles being stolen & cloned
  • 1 in every 10 UK vehicles imported have been written-off
  • 1 in every 20 UK vehicle have a mileage discrepancy
  • 30 UK Vehicles are stolen every day

Finance Checks

What is a MyWheels.ie Finance Check?

MyWheels.ie provides a verified finance check on the vehicle registration provided. This is a two step process which involves; (a) verifying the finance status of the vehicle with HPI (Ireland) and (b) subsequently contacting the relevant financial institution to confirm that the reported details are correct, and ensuring that any financing obligations have been discharged.

Why does the Finance Check not happen immediately?

MyWheels.ie performs a verified finance check, i.e. we contact the relevant financing institution to confirm status. This cannot happen outside of business hours and therefore we try to complete the process within one working day from when the report is purchased.

Why should I carry out a Finance check?

It is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure there is no outstanding finance on a vehicle. In the event that you purchase a vehicle with outstanding finance, it will be your responsibility to settle the outstanding finance, or the vehicle could be repossessed by the financing institution.

Do you provide finance checks for UK vehicles?

We verify the finance status of vehicles with HPI Ireland who only have information on vehicles registered within the Republic of Ireland, so for this reason we do not offer finance checks for UK vehicles. The Report & Pricing page on our website outlines the information included in each report.

Does the report show how much finance is outstanding on a vehicle?

No, we can only confirm if finance is outstanding on the car or not. Due to Data Protection policies we are unable to provide any additional information such as;

  • The amount of finance outstanding or the number of repayments outstanding
  • Personal details on who took out the finance on the car
  • The name of the financial institution that is owed the finance

What is the risk of buying a vehicle that has finance owing?

Car ownership with outstanding finance is similar to home ownership with a mortgage, the “owner” does not legally hold the title of the car/house until the finance/mortgage is fully paid off. Until then, the relevant lender is the legal owner of the car/house and they can repossess the asset if the amount outstanding is not paid.

If you buy a car that has finance outstanding then it will be your responsibility to settle the outstanding finance, or the car could be repossessed by the financing institution.

What should I do if there is finance outstanding on a vehicle I own?

It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure there is no outstanding finance on a vehicle. In the event that you own a vehicle with outstanding finance, it will be your responsibility to settle the outstanding finance, or the vehicle could be repossessed by the financial institution.

If the finance was taken out by you then you can arrange to pay the balance with the relevant financial institution.

If the finance was arranged by a previous owner then it may prove difficult to find out how much is owed and who took out the finance (especially in the case of multiple previous owners). The financial institution will only communicate with the person who took out the finance so you will not be able to contact them to resolve the issue.

Who you bought the car from will determine what you rights are in relation to this matter. If you bought the car from a commercial dealer then you are covered by the Consumer Protection Act 2007. Please contact the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission for advice on what you can do.

Private sales (consumer-to-consumer transactions) are not covered by the Sale of Goods Act or the Consumer Protection Act 2007. In a consumer-to-consumer there is no implied term applicable as to merchantable quality. In this case we can only suggest that you seek independent legal advice on the matter.

iCAP Valuation

Are valuations available on every vehicle?

Our valuations are provided by Vehicle Management System, who collect market information every week to compile the most accurate and up to date valuations in Ireland. Vehicle Management System maintains current values on over 95% of private vehicles in Ireland, however if there is insufficient market information on a particular model then it is not possible to accurately value it. When you do a free vehicle check with MyWheels.ie we check to see if a valuation is available before returning a list of available reports for the relevant vehicle. If we have valuation information for the vehicle then we offer reports that include a valuation.

For more information please read about Vehicle Valuations.

Why is a valuation range displayed and not a specific value?

No two cars are the same and therefore values will differ depending on a number of mitigating factors. Everything from mileage to varying levels of specification, seller type, condition and optional extras all need to be considered when valuing a used car. For more information please read about Vehicle Valuations.

Where are the valuation amounts sourced from?

Our valuations are provided by Vehicle Management System, who collect market information every week to compile the most accurate and up to date valuations in Ireland. Their values are used by the Revenue Commissioners, motor dealers, insurance companies, finance houses, fleet companies and auctioneers across the country.

How much will high/low mileage affect the valuation?

While the total mileage of a vehicle will impact on its value there are a number of other factors such as specification, seller type, condition of the vehicle and optional extras that need to be considered when valuing a used car. For more information please read about Vehicle Valuations.

VRT & NOx calculator check

What is Vehicle Registration Tax?

Vehicle Registration Tax or VRT is a tax charged on new or imported used vehicles registered in Ireland.

It is a requirement that Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) is paid at the time the vehicle is registered in the Republic of Ireland.

A vehicle registration number is issued with the vehicle at the same time as registration.

All vehicles imported imported into Ireland must be registered with one month of the date they first arrive, except in the following circumstances:

Why use the VRT calculator?

Our VRT Calculator automatically inputs multiple fields of data so you don’t have too, saving you time and effort.

Ordinarily, you would be required by Revenue manually enter the following 13 fields of information as listed below.

Selecting or inputting details not matching your vehicle would also give you an incorrect calculation so there is a great advantage to our VRT Calculator.

VRT calculation fields required by Revenue
  • EU classification (M1 Passenger or N1 light commercial)
  • Japnese registered (Yes or No)
  • Vehicle make
  • Vehicle model
  • Transmission type
  • Number of doors
  • Engine type
  • Body type
  • Engine capacity
  • Version
  • Mileage Units
  • Year of first registration in any jurisdiction
  • Month of first registration in any jurisdiction

What is a Statistical Code?

Whenever you use our VRT calculator for a vehicle which is already revenue database you will receive a VRT statistical code.

The VRT calculator on MyWheels.ie provides a VRT statistical code when providing a calculation.

How is VRT calculated?

VRT is calculated and charged based upon the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) of the vehicle as determined by the Revenue Commissioners alone and no other third party.

There are multiple vehicle variables that are taken into consideration for the VRT calculation.

These include:
  1. The Year and Month of first registration in any jurisdiction. The EU classification of the vehicle, the vehicle make, model and type as well as the number of doors.
  2. The engine type, engine capacity and mileage are also used. Body type and version or varient of the vehicle are also important.
  3. One of the most important factors in a VRT calculation is the CO2 emissions for the vehicle at the time of manufacture. All of these variables are taken into consideration by Revenue when they return an official figure.
  4. Revenue applies the Vehicle Registration Tax by linking the vehicle with a VRT category. Before Revenue can determine the amount of tax payable, the vehicle must fall into one of five Irish categories, A, B, C, D and M which are linked to European type-approval categories M1, N1, N2.
VRT calculations are based on the following criteria:
  • EU classification
  • Irish VRT Tax Category
  • CO2 emissions
  • Year of manufacture
  • Month of manufacture
  • Vehicle make
  • Vehicle model
  • Vehicle Version
  • Body Variant
  • Body Type
  • Engine type
  • Engine capacity
  • Transmission type
  • Number of doors
  • Odometer Mileage

Accuracy

How accurate is the VRT calculator? Well, ultimately, it is the Revenue who has the final say on any VRT calculations as they are the official state body which has responsibility for all VRT calculations.

As such, any VRT calculations by a third party are estimates only and based on information available at the time of request and are an indication of payable VRT for the particular vehicle in question.

The final official VRT amount can only be calculated and actioned on by the VRT office. At times the Open Market Selling Price may change and a different amount may be payable, for example; if a different rate of CO2 emissions is applicable. Additional VRT may also be applied if the vehicle is fitted with chargeable enhancements and/or accessories.

Registering a new vehicle in Ireland

Before any vehicle is registered in the State, it must have a valid Certificate of Conformity (CoC). This has been a requirement for all new vehicles since 12 September, 2016.

The CoC contains all the pertinent manufacturer data connected with that vehicle. The information contained on the CoC must be entered on the Revenue computer system before a new vehicle can be registered. In effect, the CoC is a statement by the vehicle manufacturer that the vehicle conforms to European Union standards, including safety.

When you buy a new car from a motor dealer in Ireland, that dealer should register the car before delivering it to you, otherwise you must register the vehicle yourself. That means that you must get the CoC and other mandatory documentation, either in paper form or in electronic form, from the seller. You should check in advance that the car seller has the correct CoC and documentation.

You can enter the CoC using your myAccount or through ROS. If the CoC is provided in the correct XML format you may upload it. Otherwise you can manually input the CoC. This manual will assist you e-CoC Procedures Manual. You must have entered the CoC onto the Revenue system before visiting the NCTS Centre.

Registering a used vehicle in Ireland

If you buy a used vehicle from a foreign jurisdiction, say from the UK, you are required to get documentation pertaining to the previous foreign registration from the seller. You should always check in advance that the seller has all the relevant and mandatory documentation related to the vehicle

The UK has specific requirements regarding the sale of vehicles, please see selling a vehicle here at the GOV.UK website.

What are the different Categories of VRT?

There are 4 categories of vehicles which are affected by VRT. The MyWheels.ie calculator mainly deals with VRT Category A which are generally regular passenger vehicles. The rate of VRT tax chargeable to these passenger cars are based on the CO2 emission levels of the vehicle at the time of its manufacture.

  • A (EU Category M1)
  • B (EU Category N1)
  • C (EU Category N2)
  • D (no EU equivalent)

The types of vehicles that are included are typically:

VRT Category 'A' Passenger Vehicles (M1)

  • Saloons
  • Hatchbacks
  • MPVs
  • Jeeps
  • Coupes
  • Convertibles
  • Minibuses
VRT Category A Rates Table
VRT Band CO2 Emissions (g/km) VRT Rate Minimum VRT
A1 0 - 80 g/km 14% of OMSP €280
A2 81 -100 g/km 15% of OMSP €300
A3 101 - 110 g/km 16% of OMSP €320
B1 111 - 120 g/km 17% of OMSP €340
B2 121 - 130 g/km 18% of OMSP €360
B3 131 - 140 g/km 19% of OMSP €380
C 141 - 155 g/km 23% of OMSP €460
D 156 - 170 g/km 27% of OMSP €540
E 171 - 190 g/km 30% of OMSP €600
F 191 - 225 g/km 34% of OMSP €680
G 225 g/km and above 36% of OMSP €720

From 1 January 2019 Revenue implemented a new 1% surcharge which applies to all diesel fuel vehicles. The VRT Category A rates diesel vehicles are as follows:

VRT Category A Diesel Rates Table
VRT Band CO2 Emissions (g/km) VRT Rate Minimum VRT
A1 0 - 80 g/km 15% of OMSP €300
A2 81 -100 g/km 16% of OMSP €320
A3 101 - 110 g/km 17% of OMSP €340
B1 111 - 120 g/km 18% of OMSP €360
B2 121 - 130 g/km 19% of OMSP €380
B3 131 - 140 g/km 20% of OMSP €400
C 141 - 155 g/km 24% of OMSP €480
D 156 - 170 g/km 28% of OMSP €560
E 171 - 190 g/km 31% of OMSP €620
F 191 - 225 g/km 35% of OMSP €700
G 225 g/km and above 37% of OMSP €740

VRT Category ‘B’ Vehicles (N1)

VRT Category B relates to light commercial vehicles, designed and constructed for the carriage of goods not exceeding 3.5 tonnes.

This Irish VRT vehicle category is equivalent to the European category N1 category and generally these vehicles have three seats or less. VRT Category B also includes motor caravans.

Category B VRT is generally 13.3% of the OMSP and the minimum due is €125.

However, some N1 vans are charged a charge of €200 if they always had less than 4 seats and a laden mass greater than 130% of the mass in service.

  • Car Derived Vans
  • Jeep Derived Vans
  • Crew cabs

The types of vehicles that are not included are typically Classic Collectable, Motor Caravans (Campers), Kit Vehicles and vehicles that require to be assessed on an individual basis.

Category 'C' or Commercial Vehicles are not included in the calculator, but VRT is assessed at a flat rate of €50.00 on these types of vehicles.

*Please note that some Makes / Models / CO2 Emissions of vehicles are not included.

The rate at which it is charged depends on the type of vehicle being registered.


The VRT tax rate for standard passenger cars is based on CO2 emissions of the car.

All VRT rates for new and used cars registered in Ireland are based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle. These rates can be seen below in an easily understandable graph.

The percentage rates refer to the percentage calculated when taking into consideration the OMSP (Open Market Selling Price) of the vehicle being registered.

The rates only apply to Category A vehicles which include regular passenger cars such as saloons, estates, hatchbacks, convertibles, coupes, MPVs, Jeeps etc. and also minibuses with less than 12 permanently fitted passenger seats. It also should be noted that diesel cars are subject to further 1% VRT surcharge.

All VRT charges for passenger cars first registered in Ireland since 2008 are based on the CO2 emissions of the vehicle. Simply speaking, the higher CO2 emissions, the higher VRT you pay.

As part of the registration process for VRT, the NCTS centre require that the CO2 emissions levels are confirmed. Revenuecan identify the CO2 emissions for over 12,000 vehicle models on their website.

If the level of CO2 emissions is different from that on the Revenue website and the documentation shows different emissions levels, Revenue will accept it provided it is listed among the following sources:

  • Certificate from the manufacturer or distributor stating the CO2 emissions
  • Owner's manual on older cars may show CO2 emissions levels
  • A print-out from the Revenue.ie website showing CO2 emissions is also acceptable
  • A printout from the ROS Enquiry System where the level of CO2 emissions for that particular model is displayed
  • For a Japanese import, the following sources declaring CO2 are acceptable:
    • Export Certificate
    • Japanese Certificate of Cancellation of Motor Vehicle Registration
    • A printout from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport showing the level of CO2 emissions for the model on the certificate
    • An extract from the relevant section of the Japanese Motor Vehicle Guidebook showing the fuel consumption of the vehicle (pre-1998 vehicles only).

A printout from Goonet Exchange showing the fuel consumption of the vehicle (pre-1998 vehicles only).

When should I pay VRT?

All vehicles imported into the State must be inspected at an NCT test centre within 7 days of importation in order to register and pay Vehicle Registration Tax (and any other tax liabilities due on the vehicle).

The National Car Testing Service NCTS administer all Vehicle Registration Tax on behalf of the Revenue Commissioners.

On completion of the registration process, VRT must be paid within 30 days of the vehicle entering the Republic.

In certain cases, you may be exempt from Vehicle Registration Tax, such as when transferring residence to the Republic of Ireland from another State and you have been the owner of the vehicle for more than six months and can prove ownership.

After registration, you will then be issued with a vehicle registration number. With this number, you can then purchase number plates and pay your motor tax.

Format of registration plates

After the vehicle is registered at the NCTS centre and you have received your registration number you can then get your number plates.

Registration plates must be displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle and clearly visible at all times.

Registration plates are not supplied by the NCT centre or Revenue. Once they conform to the required standard, hey can be bought from any source.

There is a very specific format and size for the registration plates and so t is illegal to display plates that do not comply with these standards. There is actually a fine of up to €5,000 if you display plates that do not meet the required standards.

Registration plates

The dimensions and technical specifications of registration plates are outlined in legislation S.I No. 318 of 1992 (as amended).

Registration plateS must consist of:

  • Black numbers, black letters on white reflective background
  • County of registration in Irish at the top of the plate
  • EU flag comprising twelve gold stars in a circle
  • Letters IRL in white on the left-hand side of the plate on a blue reflective background
  • No other words letters, numbers or marks are permitted on the plate.

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